News Archive: November 2013

You will need Adobe Reader to view some of the files on this page. See EPA's PDF page to learn more about PDF, and for a link to the free Acrobat Reader.

This information is provided for reference. Over time, links to news items may
become unavailable, in these cases the item will remain listed, but no link will
be provided. Also, please be aware that the information in any particular article
may be outdated or superseded by additional information.

November 2013November Livestock and Poultry Environmental Learning Center Newsletter
The November issue introduces a three-part webcast series on recovering nutrients from manure. Part 1 is on November 15. LPELC teams want to remind everyone about manure sampling, carcass disposal, and a climate change online course. Additional topics are the trends in nitrate levels in the Mississippi River Basin and a new publication on vermicomposting from ATTRA. You can also find out more on tile drainage, a cash prize for coming up with an idea to reduce nutrient pollution, and the most recent, of many, court rulings in cases involving the Environmental Protection Agency. As always, the newsletter also keeps you up-to-date on state programs, events and "manure in the news". More...

November 20, 2013EPA Offers Funding to Reduce Pollution from Diesel Engines
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has made available $2 million in funding for rebates to help public and private construction equipment owners replace or retrofit older diesel construction engines. The rebates will reduce harmful pollution and improve air quality in local areas.
“Exhaust from diesel construction equipment affects children, senior citizens and others in neighborhoods across the country”,” said Janet McCabe, acting assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation. "These rebates will help equipment owners protect public health and improve air quality near construction sites while updating their fleets.”

EPA Awards $556,650 to Help Massachusetts Marine Vessels Reduce Diesel Emissions Two Massachusetts projects have been awarded more than a half-million dollars under a competitive national grant competition to reduce diesel emissions.
The grants, totaling $556,650, were made under the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA). The funding will assist CLF Ventures, Inc., which is receiving $300,000 to repower the Spirit of Boston; and the Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management (NESCAUM), which has been awarded $256,650 to repower eight commercial lobster boats.

November 15, 2013EPA Proposes 2014 Renewable Fuel Standards / Proposal Seeks Input to Address “E10 Blend Wall,” Reaffirms Commitment to Biofuels
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today proposed for public comment the levels of renewable fuels to be blended into gasoline and diesel as required by Congress under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. Developed with input from the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Department of Agriculture, the proposal seeks public input on annual volume requirements for renewable fuels in all motor vehicle gasoline and diesel produced or imported by the United States in 2014. The proposal seeks to put the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program on a steady path forward – ensuring the continued long-term growth of the renewable fuel industry – while seeking input on different approaches to address the “E10 blend wall.”

November 6, 2013Pesticide News Story: EPA Seeks Public Input on Newly Designed Graphic for Bug Repellent Labels - New graphic will help consumers make informed choices to protect their health
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released a Federal Register Notice seeking public input on a new insect repellent graphic for skin-applied insect repellent product labels. The graphic, which may be applied voluntarily by manufacturers, will provide consumers with important health information including the estimated number of hours a product will repel potentially harmful insects like mosquitoes and ticks when used as directed.
"EPA is working to create a system that does for bug repellents what SPF labeling did for sunscreens," said Jim Jones, assistant administrator of the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. "By providing vital health information to consumers, this new graphic will help parents, hikers and the general public better protect themselves from serious health problems caused by mosquito and tick bites."

November 4, 2013WEDNESDAY, November 6: EPA Chief in Kansas City to Support Environmental Justice Efforts
EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy will be in Kansas City, Mo., on Wednesday, Nov. 6, to award an environmental justice grant to the Black Health Care Coalition.
The grant will further EPA’s ongoing efforts to make a visible difference in communities across the country by educating citizens on environmental factors related to their health. Administrator McCarthy will also lead a roundtable discussion about creating a healthy environment for children, and will highlight EPA’s commitment to carrying out President Obama’s Climate Action Plan to reduce carbon pollution.

November 1, 2013Assessing Pesticide Risks to Endangered Species – Workshop on Implementing NAS Recommendations
On November 15, 2013, four federal agencies – the EPA, NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Department of Agriculture – will hold a stakeholder workshop entitled "Status of Efforts to Implement the Recommendations of the National Academy of Sciences' Report, 'Assessing Risks to Endangered and Threatened Species from Pesticides.'" The four agencies worked collaboratively to develop interim scientific policies and procedures, and will present their joint Interim Approaches for implementing the recommendations contained in the April 2013 NAS report. The stakeholder workshop will provide an opportunity for the public to provide feedback on the document. This Interim Approaches document and a meeting agenda will be available shortly before the meeting at http://www.epa.gov/espp.

EPA Releases Agency Plans for Adapting to a Changing ClimateThe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today released its draft Climate Change Adaptation Implementation Plans for public review and comment. In support of President Obama’s Climate Action Plan and Executive Order on Preparing the United States for the Impacts of Climate Change announced today, the Implementation Plans provide detailed information about the actions EPA plans to take across the country to help communities adapt to a changing climate.
“To meet our mission of protecting public health and the environment, EPA must help communities adapt to a changing climate,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. “These Implementation Plans offer a roadmap for agency work to meet that responsibility, while carrying out President Obama’s goal of preparing the country for climate-related challenges.”

EPA Hosts 2013 International Decontamination Research and Development Conference
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hold its 2013 International Decontamination Research and Development Conference on November 5-7 in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.
This year’s conference will focus on research around the decontamination of indoor and outdoor areas, and materials contaminated with biological, chemical, and radiological agents. Richard Danzig, Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees of the RAND Corporation, a member of the Defense Policy Board and the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board, and a Director of the Center for a New American Security will give the keynote speech. Lek Kadeli, EPA’s Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Research and Development, will be discussing how EPA's research helps enhance community sustainability by preparing communities for the challenges ahead and strengthening their resiliency in the wake of future disasters.

Tebuconazole; Pesticide Tolerances -- establishes tolerances for residues of tebuconazole in or on the fruiting vegetable group 8-10 and amends the existing tolerances for barley grain and the cucurbit vegetable group 9 (Nov. 15)

Spirotetramat; Pesticide Tolerances -- establishes tolerances for residues of spirotetramat in or on corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with husks removed and persimmon and revises established tolerances in or on feijoa, papaya, and Spanish lime, under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) (Nov. 6)

Imazapyr; Pesticide Tolerances -- establishes tolerances for residues of imazapyr in or on lentil at 0.2 parts per million (ppm); and rapeseed subgroup 20A and sunflower subgroup 20B at 0.05 ppm (Nov. 6)

If you encounter difficulties subscribing to this list
server or if you would like to be taken off the Ag Center News list server
at any time, please send an e-mail to the Ag Center at: agcenter@epa.gov.